Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid as Emerging Contaminants

Abstract

Perfluoroocatane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluororooctanoic acid (PFOA) are perfluorinated carbons (PFCs) with varying applications for surface coatings and surfactants. They were produced in mass quantities before an overwhelming international movement to reduce production and use. As a result of manufacturing and widespread usage, distribution of the compounds in the environment and wildlife is apparent and concerning. PFOS and PFOA are highly persistent in the environment and accumulate in organisms, plants and groundwater. PFOS and PFOA concentrate in blood serum and the liver; the compounds have been noted to have negative biological implications in humans, wildlife and laboratory treated animals. Identified as emerging contaminants worldwide, governments and organizations including Environment and Climate Change Canada, The United States Environmental Protection Agency, The European Food Safety Authority and United Nations Environmental Programme agree effects are detrimental to human and environmental health. Remediation strategies are currently being studied and developed to identify possible technologies for full scale economical implementation. The presentation encompasses the physico-­‐chemical properties, partitioning, transport behaviour, health effects and current remediation technologies relevant to PFOS and PFOA groundwater contamination.